Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced that an Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) caseworker was charged for allegedly misappropriating more than $160,000 in assistance for needy families.

Amy Mueller, 40, of Highland, Ill., was arraigned earlier today on charges brought by Madiganís office in Madison County Criminal Court. Mueller was charged with one count of theft exceeding $100,000 of government money, a Class X offense punishable by six to 30 years in prison; one count of aggravated identity theft, a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison; two counts of identity theft, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison; and five counts of official misconduct and three counts of wire fraud, Class 3 felonies punishable by two to five years in prison.

Madigan alleged that Mueller, an IDHS caseworker at the departmentís Madison County Family Community Resource Center, created fake benefit accounts using legitimate clientsí personal information in order to make cash withdrawals to spend for personal use, including vacations, restaurant visits, massages, tanning sessions and nail salons.

ďThis defendant was entrusted to help families in need but instead she stole thousands of dollars in state funds for personal use,Ē Madigan said.

An investigation by Madiganís Public Integrity Bureau, with assistance from IDHS and the Illinois State Police, revealed Mueller stole approximately $159,222 while an employee. Mueller worked for IDHS from 1998 to 2015. The alleged thefts occurred from 2012 through 2015.

Bond was set at $50,000, and her next court appearance was set for Jan. 4, 2016.

Assistant Attorney General Kilby Macfadden and Associate Director James S. Dorger are handling the case for Madiganís Public Integrity Bureau.